Enhancing Relapse Prevention: Examining the Impact of Experiential Avoidance, Integrative Self-Knowledge, and Basic Psychological Needs in Substance Use Treatment

Background: The harmful effects of drug relapse have always been one of the major challenges in addiction treatment. The present study aimed to predict drug relapse in addicted men under treatment based on experiential avoidance, integrative self-knowledge, and basic psychological needs.Methods: The present study was a correlational one. The statistical population included all addicted men in Choubindar prison in Qazvin in ۲۰۲۱, among whom ۲۰۰ individuals were selected randomly. Then, the participants filled out the Relapse Prediction Scale (RPS), Multidimensional Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (MEAQ), Integrative Self-Knowledge Scale (ISK), and Basic Psychological Needs Scale (BPNS). Data were analyzed using stepwise regression via SPSS software (version ۲۵).Findings: The results of the study demonstrated that some of the components of experiential avoidance including distraction, distress endurance, behavioral avoidance, and distress aversion could account for ۱۴.۰% of the variance of the relapse in the addicts (P<۰.۰۵). Moreover, the obtained results considering the reflective self-knowledge component and the overall score of integrative self-knowledge could explain ۱۵.۰% of the variance in relapse in the addicts. Among the basic psychological needs, communication could predict ۳.۸% of the variance in relapse.Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, it is suggested that through addiction treatment and prevention of relapse programs, psychologists reduce drug relapse in addicts by decreasing distractions and behavioral avoidance, increasing distressendurance, enhancing self-knowledge, and improving efficient relationships.

Keywords:

Drug use relapse , Experiential avoidance , Integrative Self-Knowledge , Basic Psychological Needs